Seal arrangement

ABSTRACT

The sealing arrangement ( 1 ) is to seal a gap ( 2 ) between two cooperating components ( 3, 4 ). A grip rail ( 7 ), to which a holding region ( 19 ) of a profile ( 18 ) is positively latched, is fixed to a first one ( 3 ) of the components ( 3, 4 ) by way of clips ( 6 ). A sealing region ( 20 ) of the profile ( 18 ) which cooperates in a sealing manner with a second one ( 4 ) of the components ( 3, 4 ) is attached to the holding region ( 19 ). The grip rail ( 7 ) consists of synthetic material and comprises at least two latching regions ( 21, 23 ) which are disposed transversely with respect to a longitudinal extension of the profile ( 18 ) at a mutual spaced interval. A complementary counter latching region ( 24  to  26 ) of the holding region ( 19 ) is latched to each latching region, wherein a first ( 21 ) and a second latching region ( 22 ) are provided on longitudinal edges of the grip rail ( 7 ). Integrally formed on an inner counter latching region ( 26 ) of the holding region ( 19 ) is a first sealing lip ( 29 ) which cooperates in a sealing manner with the first component ( 3 ) supporting the sealing arrangement ( 1 ). A second, second [sic] sealing lip ( 32 ) which cooperates in a sealing manner with the first component ( 3 ) which supports the sealing arrangement ( 1 ) is integrally formed on the sealing region ( 20 ) externally and at a spaced interval from the grip rail ( 7 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing arrangement according to thepreamble of claim 1.

[0002] Documents DE 198 03 445, FR 2 520 467, DE 295 13 597 and DE 29720 053 disclose comparable sealing arrangements which are intended toseal the gap between on the one hand a closing element, which can bemoved relatively to an opening in a motor vehicle, and on the other handthe inner-side edge region of the opening which faces said closingelement. They generally consist of a holding portion, which is adaptedfor attachment either to the inner edge region of the opening or to theouter-side edge region of the closing element, and of a sealing profilewhich is integrally formed on said holding portion and which in theclosed state of the closing element lies in a sealing manner underresilient deformation against the respective opposite-lying edge region.This type of sealing arrangement surrounds the entire opening. Anessential feature of these known sealing arrangements is that the edgestructures of the opening or of the closing element which cooperate withthe holding portions must comprise a special adaptation to suit therespective holding portion, in particular with regard to its secureattachment. This adaptation can be a circumferential flange, on to whichthe holding portion is placed, in a sequence of bores, with which apositive-locking, push-button-like connection is established, or saidadaptation can be special mold elements which are intended for positive,resilient latching engagement.

[0003] A sealing arrangement is known from DE 199 12 176, wherein aprofile part which is substantially L-shaped in cross-section andcomprises an embedded reinforcement is adhered to a door frame by meansof an adhesive layer. The profile part is supported beyond the adhesivelayer on the door frame by cross-pieces. Instead of using the adhesivelayer, the profile part can also be held on the frame by clipconnections which can be produced by crimping (column 2, lines 61 to64). This profile part is to be connected to the door frame initially bya robotal machine. In a second working step which is to be conductedpreferably by hand, a profile seal is then placed with an attachmentbase on to an upstanding assembly limb of the profile part having aChristmas-tree profile. The profile seal is not connected on the insideto the L-shaped profile part. During operation, this can lead tovisually unfavourable gaps and progressions of the profile seal. Thesame applies to the further embodiments of known sealing arrangementsset forth above.

[0004] Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,325 discloses a sealing arrangement,in which a grip rail consisting of a plastics material is used for theattachment of a sealing profile to a door frame and comprises on itsside facing the sealing profile two latching regions which are disposedtransversely with respect to its longitudinal extension at a mutualspaced interval and which are intended for resilient latching engagementwith the holding region of the sealing profile. The holding region formsa generally T-shaped latching base which is inserted into a groove whichis formed in a complementary manner with the cooperation of a U-shapedlocking part. The grip rail is intended for attachment on to the edgeregion of the door of a container and is provided with holding flangeswhich engage laterally around said door and which form a sealingabutment on the door. For its part the sealing profile is characterizedby two sealing lips which lie against the inner side edge region of theopening, so that even when the door is in the closed state there is avisually perceptible progression of the sealing arrangement which ischaracterized by the fact that the grip rail and the profile part arepositioned next to each other. By virtue of the fact that a particularU-shaped locking part is required to form a T-shaped groove, thisproduces in mechanical terms a relatively complicated attachment of thesealing profile to the grip rail. In dependence upon the materialformation of these parts, this can also give rise to disadvantages forthe endurance of the sealing effect.

[0005] Finally, EP 0 479 643 discloses a generic sealing arrangementwhich corresponds to the preamble of claim 1. This sealing arrangementis intended for sealing a gap between two cooperating components and ischaracterized inter alia in that it can be fixed to one of thecomponents by way of a grip rail or a base plate, wherein a holdingregion of a sealing profile can be positively latched to the grip rail,wherein a sealing region of the sealing profile which cooperates in asealing manner with the other one of the components is attached to theholding region, wherein the grip rail comprises two mutually spacedapart latching regions, each of which can be latched to a complementarycounter latching region of the said holding region, wherein the saidfirst and second latching regions are provided on longitudinal edges ofthe grip rail and wherein both latching regions extend along an innerlongitudinal edge of the latching base. The said base plate consists ofa material according to a type of hot-melt adhesive which can be adheredby heating to a support, e.g. a portion of the vehicle bodywork. Bothlatching regions are formed by means of a T-shaped profile which isintegrally formed on the base plate and which is located in a centralregion of the base plate. This sealing arrangement is thus characterizedby merely one central, relatively narrow mounting and attachment region.

[0006] Against this background, it is the object of the invention toimprove a generic sealing arrangement whilst avoiding the disadvantagesassociated with the prior art with regard to the fit and the sealingeffect. This object is achieved by the features of the characterizingpart of claim 1.

[0007] The sealing region is preferably tubular in formation. Thelatching connection of the latching regions and the counter latchingregions together ensures that the profile is held securely on the griprail even during heavy duty operation. When the profile is damaged, itis then possible to release these latching connections with a smallamount of effort and latch a new profile to the grip rail which remainsin place. Initially, the grip rail can be fixed to one of the componentsand then the profile can be latched to the grip rail. However, it isalso possible initially to latch the profile and the grip rail togetherand subsequently to fix this preassembled subassembly to one of thecomponents. By virtue of the fact that a first and a second latchingregion are provided on longitudinal edges of the grip rail, wherein afirst latching region is formed along an outer longitudinal edge of thegrip rail, this provides a particularly large base for mounting theprofile on the grip rail and ensures that the profile is heldcorrespondingly securely. The first sealing lip according to theinvention serves to provide a perfect lateral termination of the holdingregion and an effective seal with respect to the first component whichsupports the sealing arrangement. In a similar manner, the secondsealing lip according to the invention serves to provide a visuallypleasing and in particular sealed outer termination of the profile withrespect to the first component.

[0008] Owing in particular to the fact that two latching regions areprovided, wherein a first latching region is formed on an outerlongitudinal edge of the grip rail and wherein a third latching regionis disposed at a spaced interval from this first latching regionapproximately in the transverse center of the grip rail and that counterlatching regions of the holding region which are combined to form alatching base can be latched to the first and the third latching region,the secure holding of the profile on the grip rail can be improved. Theterm “external” relates in this case e.g. to the external side of amotor vehicle.

[0009] The features of claim 2 facilitate and improve the positioning ofthe grip rail on the first component.

[0010] According to claim 4, it is possible to facilitate and improvethe locking of the holding region on its inner side.

[0011] The features of claim 5 produce a grip rail which has sufficientrigidity, strength and dimensional stability.

[0012] According to claim 6, a particularly effective sealing effect isachieved between the support ribs and the first component.

[0013] Claim 7 ensures on the one hand that the grip rail is attachedrapidly and securely to the first component and on the other hand servesto prevent moisture from passing through the bores.

[0014] The features of claim 8 are particularly advantageous, if theinstallation situation for the grip rail has a three-dimensionalprogression. It is then possible in the mold tool to give the grip railthis three-dimensional shape and to ensure that the grip rail can beattached to the first component without becoming jammed.

[0015] According to claim 9, the procedure can be conducted in acost-effective manner if the installation situation for the grip rail issubstantially two-dimensional. The clips can then be adheredsubsequently to the grip rail or can be welded as synthetic materialclips on to the grip rail.

[0016] The features of claim 10 ensure that the profile is held on thegrip rail in a particularly stable manner. At the same time, it ispossible in the event of low closing forces to ensure a favorablesealing effect for the first component with respect to the secondcomponent.

[0017] Depending upon the application, it is also possible to proceed inthe manner according to the features of claims 11 or 12.

[0018] These and further features and advantages of the invention willbe explained in detail hereinunder with reference to the exemplifiedembodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of an assembledsealing arrangement

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a corresponding cross-section of another sealingarrangement, and

[0021]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a portion of yet another sealingarrangement.

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a sealing arrangement 1 for a gap 2 between a firstcomponent 3 and a second component 4. The first component 3 is a closingelement, such as e.g. a door or a hinged lid of a motor vehicle. Thesecond component 4 is formed in FIG. 1 by an edge of an opening 5 of amotor vehicle which is to be closed, wherein the edge is a component ofa sill of the motor vehicle. The sealing arrangement 1 is not only ableto extend along the base of the door 3, as shown in FIG. 1, but can alsoextend right around the opening 5.

[0023] A grip rail 7 is fixed to the first component 3 by means ofmutually spaced apart clips 6. Since a lower connection plate 8 of thefirst component 3 extends substantially linearly, the grip rail 7 can beformed in a two-dimensional manner and can be extruded from syntheticmaterial. Suitable synthetic materials are e.g. polyoxy methylene (POM),polyamide (PA) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with a Shore Dhardness of 40 to 80.

[0024] Support ribs 9 and 10 are integrally formed on a base 11 of thegrip rail 7 and are pulled by resilient limbs 12 and 13 of the clip 6,which are supported on an upper side 14 of the connection plate, intoposition against a lower side 15 of the connection plate 8. Each clip 6is welded or adhered to the base 11 by a sealing disc 16.

[0025] Each clip 6 is inserted from below through a bore 17 in theconnection plate 8, until the limbs 12, 13 above the upper side 14 areable to pivot outwards to their operational position. In thisoperational position, an outer edge of the sealing disc 16 lies in asealing manner against the lower side 15 and prevents moisture frompassing through the bore 17.

[0026] Instead of using the particular clip 6 illustrated in FIG. 1, itis also possible to use other clip types, which are known per se,offering the same advantage and performing a similar function.

[0027] In addition to the grip rail 7, the sealing arrangement 1 alsocomprises a profile 18 with a holding region 19 and a sealing region 20.The grip rail 7 is provided with a first latching region 21, a secondlatching region 22 and a third latching region 23 transverse to alongitudinal extension of the profile 18 and at a mutual spaced intervalfrom each other. Each of these latching regions 21 to 23 is formed inthe manner of a barb. A complementary latching region 24, 25 and 26 ofthe holding region 19 can be latched to each latching region 21 to 23,as illustrated in the final state in FIG. 1. The counter latchingregions 24, 25 are combined to form a latching base 27 which is latchedto the first latching region 21 and the third latching region 23.

[0028] The second latching region 22 is formed on an inner longitudinaledge of the grip rail 7 and is disposed at a transverse spaced interval28 from the inner support rib 9. The transverse spacing 28 creates aspace, into which the counter latching region 26 of the holding region19 can be pressed and can snap in a latching manner. Integrally formedon this inner counter latching region 26 is a first sealing lip 29. Whenthe counter latching region 26 is latched in as shown in FIG. 1, thefirst sealing lip 29 lies in a sealing manner against an ascendingextension 30 of the connection plate 8.

[0029] The sealing region 20 is completely tubular in formation with ahollow space 31 and is integrally formed on the holding region 19. Onthe outside and at a spacing from the grip rail 7, the sealing region 20supports a second sealing lip 32 which in the assembled state of thesealing arrangement I as shown in FIG. 1 cooperates in a sealing mannerwith a descending extension 33 of the connection plate 8. This sealingeffect increases further if the door 3 is closed and the sealing region20 is compressed by the stationary sill 4. When the door is closed, thiseffectively prevents moisture from passing from the outside in FIG. 1,i.e. from the right-hand side, past the sealing arrangement, through thegap 2 and into the opening 5. In this compressed state of the sealingregion 20, a solid bead 34 of the holding region 19 also lies againstthe rear side 35, on the left-hand side in FIG. 1, of the third latchingregion 23. This acts against the unintentional release of the latchingbase 27 from its latching engagement with the latching regions 21,23.

[0030] The assembly of the sealing arrangement 1 is preferably performedin such a manner that initially the either two-dimensional orthree-dimensional grip rail 7 is fixed to the first component 3. Then,the latching base 27 is pressed into the space between the firstlatching region 21 and the second latching region 22 and is latched atthis site. Subsequently, the first sealing lip is pivoted upwardstogether with the counter latching region 26 and the counter latchingregion 26 is pressed into the space provided in the region of thetransverse spacing 28, until the counter latching region 26 has securelylatched with second latching region 22. The sealing arrangement I isthus ready for operation. If the profile 18 has been damaged, it can beremoved from the grip rail 7 without damaging the grip rail 7 and can bereplaced by a new profile 18 in the assembly sequence described.

[0031] In the case of FIG. 1, the profile 18 as a so-called mono-profileconsists entirely of soft rubber with a Shore A hardness of 40 to 70.However, the profile 18 can also be entirely extruded from TPE with thesame level of hardness. It is important that in the case of theseembodiments a level of hardness is selected for the profile 18 which onthe one hand has a sufficiently secure fit in the holding region 19 andon the other hand has a sufficient degree of elasticity in the sealingregion 20 for acceptable closing forces of the door 3.

[0032] In all of the Figures of the drawings, like parts are designatedby like reference numerals.

[0033] In the case of the exemplified embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, thegrip rail is injection-molded in a molding tool to create athree-dimensional shape. The clips 6 preferably consist of the samesynthetic material as the grip rail 7 and were injected on to the griprail 7 in the molding tool. The latching base 27 consists of soft rubberwith a Shore A hardness of 50 to 80. The latching base could also bemanufactured from a correspondingly hard TPE. In FIG. 2, the rest of theprofile 18 is co-extruded together with the latching base 27 fromcellular rubber with a Shore A hardness of 15 to 45. Instead of usingthe cellular rubber, it would also be possible to use a foamed TPE withthe same degree of hardness.

[0034] In the case of the exemplified embodiment as shown in FIG. 3,this Figure illustrates only the upper portion of the exemplifiedembodiments shown on an enlarged scale in FIGS. 1 and 2. The profile 18consists of soft rubber with a Shore A hardness of 40 to 70. The griprail 7 was injection-molded in the molding tool from synthetic material,e.g. TPE with a Shore D hardness of 40 to 80 to create athree-dimensional shape. In the molding tool, the clips 6 were alsoinjection-molded thereon together with the support ribs 9, 10 from acomparatively soft TPE with a Shore A hardness of 30 to 50.

1. Sealing arrangement (1) for a gap (2) between two cooperatingcomponents (3, 4), e.g. a closing element such as e.g. a door (3) or ahinged lid of a motor vehicle, and an edge (4) of an opening (5) whichis to be closed, wherein a grip rail (7) can be fixed to a first one (3)of the components (3, 4), wherein a holding region (19) of a profile(18) can be positively latched to the grip rail (7), wherein a sealingregion (20) of the profile (18) which cooperates in a sealing mannerwith a second one (4) of the components (3, 4) is attached to theholding region (19), wherein the grip rail (7) is produced fromsynthetic material and comprises at least two latching regions (21, 23)which are disposed transversely with respect to a longitudinal extensionof the profile (18) at a mutual spaced interval, wherein a complementarycounter latching region (24 to 26) of the holding region (19) can belatched to each latching region (21, 23), and wherein a first (21) and asecond latching region (22) are provided on longitudinal edges of thegrip rail (7), wherein a first sealing lip (29) which cooperates in asealing manner with the first component (3) which supports the sealingarrangement (1) is integrally formed on an inner counter latching region(26) of the holding region (19), and and wherein a second, second [sic]sealing lip (32) which cooperates in a sealing manner with the firstcomponent (3) which supports the sealing arrangement (1) is integrallyformed on the sealing region (20) externally and at a spacing from thegrip rail (7), characterized in that the first latching region (21) isformed on an outer longitudinal edge of the grip rail (7), that a thirdlatching region (23) is disposed at a spaced interval from the firstlatching region (21) approximately in the transverse center of the griprail (7), and that counter latching regions (24, 25) of the holdingregion (19) which are combined to form a latching base (27) can belatched to the first (21) and to the third latching region (23). 2.Sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thegrip rail (7) comprises a base (11) which supports the latching regions(21 to 23), and that the base (11) is supported on the first component(3) by way of two support ribs (9, 10) which extend at a mutualtransverse spaced interval in parallel with respect to the longitudinalextension of the profile (18).
 3. Sealing arrangement as claimed inclaim 2, characterized in that the second latching region (22) is formedon an inner longitudinal edge of the grip rail (7), and that the secondlatching region (22) is disposed at a transverse spaced interval (28)from an inner support rib (9).
 4. Sealing arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the grip rail (7) consistsof polyoxy methylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or of a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) with a Shore D hardness of 40 to
 80. 5. Sealingarrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized inthat the support ribs (9, 10) consist of comparatively soft TPE with aShore A hardness of 30 to 50 and are integrally formed on the base (11).6. Sealing arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5,characterized in that the grip rail (7) comprises clips (6) which aredisposed between the support ribs (9, 10) at a mutual spaced intervaland can be pressed in each case through a bore (17) in the firstcomponent (3).
 7. Sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 6,characterized in that the grip rail (7) is injection-molded in a moldingtool, and that the clips (6) consist of synthetic material and areinjected on to the grip rail (7) in the molding tool.
 8. Sealingarrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the grip railis extruded, and that the clips (6) are attached to the grip rail (7).9. Sealing arrangement as claimed in any one of claims I to 8,characterized in that the latching base (27) is co-extruded from softrubber or a TPE with a Shore A hardness of 50 to 80 and the rest of theprofile (18) is co-extruded from cellular rubber or a foamed TPE with aShore A hardness of 15 to
 45. 10. Sealing arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the profile (18) is extrudedfrom soft rubber or a TPE with a Shore A hardness of 40 to
 70. 11.Sealing arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8,characterized in that the profile (18) is extruded from cellular rubberor a foamed TPE with a Shore A hardness of 15 to 45.